Hat device



. Oct. 13, 1942.

R. R. BROWN 2,298,672

BAT DEVICE Fild Oct. 25, 1939 Patented Oct. 13, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to a device for keeping a hat in shape and particularIy for keeping the crushed portion of a hat, such as a mans felt hat for example, in shape and for reducing the wear upon such hats.

It is Well known that the crowns of mens hats are pushed in from the top or crushed to form a groove from front to back or to form a depressed portion below what would be the top of the crown if left dome shaped, and that handling such hats is very apt to Wear out the portions where sharp bends or corners are left. This is especia1ly true where the hats are hand1ed or put on and taken off by graSping portions of the crowns instead 015 the brims of the bats. Wear also coeurs because of changes in the depths of the creases or crushed portions from time to tme.

By the present invention the hats are kept in shape much more securely and with much more certainty, they are less apt to have their creases changed in depthg after having been creased, so that the creases do not become too deep or too shallow, and the danger of holes wearing at the corners formed because of the creased or crushed portions is entirely or practicafly e1iminated.

In carrying out this invention, pads or formed shapes of felt or other material are placed on frames to be inserted inside of the crown of bats to keep the same in shape and avoid or greatly decrease wear without adding materiafly to the weight of the hats or the way the3 can be handled. The material that is placed on the frames for keeping the hats in shape and decreasing wear should be somewhat resilient or yieldable, such as felt, rubber, cloth, leather, cardboard, etc., although the invention is not restricted to the use of these particular materials.

The invention will be understood from the description in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 s a plan view of an 11- lustrative embodiment of the invention; Fig, 2 15 a side view of the same.

In the drawing reference character l indicates a rod or wire of metal or other stifi material bent or curved into an approximate V-shape having pads 2 and 2' of felt or other material mounted on the arms thereof. The frame may be bent near the point of the V as shown at 3, out of the plane of its arms so as to fit better inside of the top of the hat at the front end of the crease With the pads lying in the grooves on each side of the crease or crushed-in-portion of the crown. This frame or device may be kept in place by friction but is preferably retained in place in a suitable positive manner. Difierent ways of doing this have proven to be satisfactory, such as using adhesive on the pads, sewing them with a stitch or two to the hat and having hooks or stifl points on the pads which catch into the hat material withgut going through.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the character described, a frame comprising side portions and a connecting portion for said side portions a11 lying in substantally the same plane and said side portions having enlargements on their free ends extending a substantial distance toward said connectng portion.

2. In a devise of the character described, a frame that is substantially V-shaped and comprising side portions and a connecting portion for said side portions all lying in substantially the same plane and said side portions having enlargements on their free ends extending a substantial distance toward said connecting portion.

3. In a device of the character described, a frame comprising side portions and a connecting portion for said side portions al1 lying in substantiall the saine plane and said side portions having pads on their free ends extending a substantial distance toward said connecting portion.

ROBERT REA BROWN. 

